1
Buttercup
My phone pinged as it lay on the counter, the slight buzz that went along with it rumbling on the work surface. Not just once, but a few times in rapid succession. There was only one person who texted me like that. My old high school friend, Kat. She was a gossip, and the only way I knew what was going on with any of my old classmates, because, let's be honest, I didn't really care otherwise. She was the only one I kept in touch with, and I was planning on keeping it that way.
Another series of pings and buzzes sounded from the small black device. Ugh. If I didn't respond she'd just keep harassing me, and since she knew I was awake and already at work, she really wouldn't quit. I pulled off the gloves I'd been wearing to keep clean and swiped over the screen.
Kat: Did you see the news?
Kat: Are you okay?
Kat: Honey, talk to me. I know it's a shock, but you haven't been together for a while now.
My stomach dropped. She was talking about Bryce, she had to be. He was the only one of my exes she gave a shit about. Why? Because, you guessed it, we were high school sweethearts. Everyone thought we were going to be together forever, including me. Ha! What a load of shit that was.
Kat: Okay, I'm just gonna say it in case you don't know.
Kat: Bryce is engaged, and his lady is preggers.
Kat: Don't shoot the messenger! I just thought you should know!
My phone buzzed again.
Kat: Are you okay?
Kat: You can talk to me, you know.
I sighed, a sick feeling twisting my stomach. At this point she’d know I'd read the messages, so I knew I needed to reply. I was perfectly happy not thinking about Bryce, making some cupcakes, owning my own business, doing my thing, and now that was ruined for the next who knew how long. I tapped out a reply and put the phone on silent.
Me: Good for him. I'm glad he's happy. I can't talk now, I'm up to my elbows in cupcakes.
The truth was I didn't want to talk about it. I didn't even want to think about it. Every second my asshole ex spent in my head was a wasted second. But for him to be getting married and having a baby, something which he'd told me he never wanted, was a punch to the gut. He'd told me a lot of things though, and as it turned out none of them were true.
I dipped a fresh spoon into the buttercream frosting I had been mixing up and did a taste test, which was, in my opinion, one of the best things about owning my own bakery. I didn't have to stop at just one type of cupcake or sweet treat, I got to try them all.
My mind wouldn't let go of the news about Bryce though. I kept turning it around and around. Getting married? With a kid on the way? It seemed so bizarre to think about him having that when he'd done everything in his power to avoid it with me. The woman must have beer flavored nipples or something.
I sighed and put a few trays of cupcakes into the oven, clearing up before I started on the next thing. Some cheesecakes and then some brownies and I'd be done for the day. The doorbell rang and I pulled my gloves off, wiping my clammy palms on my apron, before heading out to the front of the shop. I paused, remembering at the last second to take my apron off. No one liked seeing the messy side of this business, all they wanted was the picture-perfect cakes, pies, and other sweet treats.
"You back there, Buttercup?" Iris's voice rang out.
"Coming!" I called back, as I hung up my apron and darted from the back area where I created everything to the small front area where I displayed said baked goods. I plastered a smile on my face even though I didn't feel like it. "Hey, Iris. How's Igor? Still liking the candied house flies?"
"You know it!"
"Good. Here's another batch for her," I said, smiling, as I reached into the small cabinet on the floor to the side of the register and produced a gold colored paper bag.
There must have been something off about it though because Iris asked, "Are you okay?"
"Yeah, I'm good. Don't worry about me." My voice sounded too high-pitched and strained even to my own ears.